Each time the Indianapolis Colts line up in a punt formation, Sergio Brown wonders what his opponent will try next.

Holding, pushing, grabbing — Brown's seen it all from opponents determined to keep him away from the football.

When you've gained a well-deserved reputation as one of the NFL's best gunners — key members of punt-coverage teams who line up on the perimeter to get down field to the returner as fast as possible — there are consequences. Opponents rightfully view the Colts' backup safety and special-teamer extraordinaire as a legitimate weapon, and they'll do what they must to stop him.

"There's no rules out there," Brown said. "Every defensive back, every receiver, at some point, you're going to have to do it. And when you do it, you get welcomed to the NFL. There's grabbing, holding, pushing, pulling. And the official that's watching is 30 yards down the field, so they're not going to see everything.

"You have to do whatever you can."

Colts special teamer Sergio Brown was a guest on the IndyStar Pat McAfee Show. Brown, who was back on the field five days after having surgery on his broken hand, has directly contributed to six punts being downed inside the 5-yard line this season.
IndyStar.com

Punter Pat McAfee added: "When you're that good, now he's the guy that everybody's keying for. So, he has to be double- and triple-teamed. It's like Robert Mathis at defensive end where he gets blocked by a tackle and chipped by a running back."

Brown has overcome it all to directly contribute to six punts being downed inside the 5-yard line, significantly aiding the Colts' defense forcing opponents to start possessions against their own goal lines. On Sunday at Cincinnati, Brown downed a first-quarter punt at the 1-yard line, racing past receiver Andrew Hawkins, who inexplicably failed to get his hands on Brown at the line of scrimmage.

Early in the second quarter, Brown got past Hawkins again to get in position for McAfee's beautifully-placed punt. The ball bounced just inches shy of the goal line, taking a determined bounce toward the end zone. With no other option available, Brown went airborne, tapping the ball backward into the field of play while in midair. That allowed cornerback Josh Gordy to down it at the 4-yard line.

As always in the NFL, field position matters. Both Bengals possessions ended with punts.

After the second punt, you might have noticed Brown celebrated with a quick hula dance. It was very much intended to send a message. The former Notre Dame standout has not been shy about his wish to be named to the Pro Bowl as a special-teams selection, and it's very realistic. Brown already has at least one vote to send him to Hawaii.

Kids everywhere dream of growing up to be NFL players. In those fantasies, little boys usually envision themselves scoring touchdowns and playing starring roles, not special teams, chasing punts down the field.

But unglamorous as it might be, it's essential. And Brown knows that, to this point in his career, it's been his meal ticket. He rarely plays on defense, though he still longs to be an every-down player. But Brown is Exhibit A of the player who embraces his special-teams duties as a job, not a mundane task.

"I want to be on the field for every snap," said Brown, a fourth-year pro. "But I love playing football and I want to be able to take advantage of all my snaps. I want to be a game-changer, and if I'm just out there on special teams, it just so happens that I have to do it there."

“He's playing at Pro Bowl caliber right now.”

Colts coach Chuck Pagano

Said McAfee: "People never really understand that a lot of guys actually make a living on special teams. This is their livelihood. It's how they take care of their kids and their families. And Sergio is the best special-teams player I've ever seen.

"You have to remember that everybody that comes into the league was a superstar at their high school and a superstar in college. So, when they get to the league, some people can't buy into the fact that your role is on fourth down and on kickoff returns. But a lot of guys can buy into that. So, there's a lot of brilliant and very rich special teams players out there who have played in the league a long time."

Remarkably, Brown has played the past two games with a cast on his left hand after undergoing surgery for a broken bone. Special teamer or not, the guy qualifies as a football player.

"If you had that surgery — they open your hand up and put a plate in and put four screws in there and then sutured it back up — you'd be down four to five weeks," Pagano said. "He had it on Tuesday and played the next Sunday and didn't miss a beat."